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Friday, January 27, 2012

Chester, Pa.- Philadelphia Union forward Danny Mwanga has embarked for a 10-day training stint with English Premier League side Aston Villa, the club announced today. He will join his teammates in Orlando on February 6, in time for the start of the Union’s second leg of preseason.

The Union selected Mwanga as a Generation adidas signee with the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the first draft pick in club history. After starting the first-ever match in Union history in Seattle on March 25, Mwanga finished his rookie season with seven goals and four assists and was a Rookie of the Year finalist. Mwanga battled minor injuries during his sophomore campaign but finished the season with five goals and four assists 28 matches.

Aston Villa sit in 11th place in the Premier League standings and feature USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan and striker Robbie Keane, currently on a six-week loan from the LA Galaxy.

Mwanga is the seventh member of the Union to train abroad this offseason. Midfielder Freddy Adu joined La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, goalkeeper Zac MacMath trained alongside Tim Howard at Everton, Amobi Okugo trained with Bundesliga side SC Freiburgand, 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer trained with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, Michael Farfan spent two weeks with Sunderland and Sebastien Le Toux recently returned from Bolton.